AIR FORCE ACADEMY — What a Keystone Kops movie this game would have been.
Whistles blowing, numerous game- delaying challenges, officials mixing things up – it had all of that.
But it also had a bruising battle between two Front Range archrivals. Helped by five Wyoming turnovers, Air Force emerged with a 20-12 victory Saturday at Falcon Stadium.
Air Force (6-2, 5-1 Mountain West) has five conference victories for the first time since 2000 and is eligible for a bowl game.
“This was a huge win against a darned good football team,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “I just thought our defense was immense today. Five turnovers, sensational.”
Game officials had to sort out six challenges of plays that added to the confusion, one on an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Air Force safety Bobby Giannini. Air Force’s defense took the heart out of Wyoming’s offense with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Giannini’s return put the Falcons ahead 14-9 in the first minute of the fourth quarter. And after linebacker Drew Fowler intercepted a Karsten Sween pass, the Falcons clinched the victory with quarterback Shaun Carney’s 25-yard touchdown pass over the top of Wyoming’s defense to receiver Mark Root.
“The turnovers were game, set, match, it’s over,” said Wyoming coach Joe Glenn, whose team fell to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the MWC. “We were too sloppy today.”
Wyoming linebacker Sean Claffey gave the Falcons credit on the call that resulted in Carney’s second touchdown pass of the game.
“It surprised us, but we should have been ready for it,” Claffey said of the play that put the Falcons ahead 20-9 with 6:56 remaining in the game. “Our defense did a good job, but turnovers in our red zone killed us.”
Carney said the pass play was set up by Chad Hall’s presence on the field.
“We put No. 1 on the field,” Carney said of Hall, a do-it-all receiver and tailback. “Wyoming’s defense constantly was keying on where Chad was. Mark ran a great route, sold the fake and went upfield for an easy touchdown.”
Hall put on another show with 167 yards rushing and a 5-yard touchdown reception.
But the 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior found another way to make a key play as well. Hall recovered Wyoming’s onside kick after Billy Vinnedge’s 23-yard field goal cut Air Force’s lead to 20-12 with 2:26 left in the game. The Falcons then ran out the clock.
Wyoming’s defense frustrated the Falcons throughout the first half and Vinnedge capped the first 30 minutes with a 57-yard field goal as time ran out. The field goal gave the Cowboys a 9-7 lead at halftime.
Air Force kicker Ryan Harrison missed three field goals – from 37, 43 and 46 yards – as the Falcons stumbled offensively. The Falcons took a 7-6 lead with 3:19 left in the second quarter on Carney’s 5-yard scoring pass to Hall.
The Cowboys took an early 6-0 lead on Sween’s 11-yard scoring pass to tight end Wade Betschart, but Vinnedge’s extra-point try failed.
The Grades | By Irv Moss
OFFENSE
B: With senior Chad Hall rushing for 167 yards and catching a 5-yard touchdown pass Saturday at Falcon Stadium, this could have been an “A” grade. But the Falcons were inconsistent too much of the time, even with the help of five Wyoming turnovers.
DEFENSE
A-: Defense kept the Falcons in the game. Forcing five turnovers – one that turned into an 85-yard fumble return for a TD by Bobby Giannini – left Wyoming gasping. The only drawback: Wyoming was 10-of-18 on third downs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
C: Ryan Harrison missed three field goals, and a blocked extra point after a touchdown in the fourth quarter also could have been costly. But Harrison’s successful fake punt and a booming average of 59.3 yards on three punts prevented a “D.”
OVERALL
B: All in all, the Falcons played well enough for their sixth win of the season. Their poise in tough situations was the difference.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
